Impact resistant packaging



Oct. 6, 1970 D. R. ROSS 3,532,263

IMPACT RESISTANT PACKAGING Filed April 8, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DONALD R. ROSS Attorneys Oct. 6, 1970 D. R. ROSS 3,532,263

IMPACT RESISTANT PACKAGING Filed April 8, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 "W" H /l' i 66 /a 55 26 142 INVENTOR. F/G. DONALDR Ross BY wituwqw lg Attorneys Oct. 6, 1970 D. R. ROSS 3,532,263

IMPACT RESISTANT PACKAGING Filed April 8, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. DONALD R. ROSS Zu u 1/ Attorneys 3,532,263 IMPACT RESISTANT PACKAGING Donald R. Ross, 126 California Ave., Freeport, N.Y. 11520 Filed Apr. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 814,291 Int. Cl. B65d /10, 85/00 U.S. Cl. 229-39 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Packaging formed of a blank foldable to define a boX comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said top, bottom, and opposing side walls being each provided with projecting means, each of said projecting means being in non-registered relationship so that said box is adapted to be simultaneously impact resistantly stackable in any direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to impact resistant packaging.

Description of the prior art Collapsible boxes are of course well known to the art. These are supplied to the user in collapsed form and are assembled to form the finished box when ready for use as a shipping or storing container. In the packaging of frangible articles, such as glass, it is highly desirable to provide collapsible boxes which, when assembled, will protect the fragile contents thereof from sudden shocks or impacts which tend to fracture such contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION said box is adapted to be simultaneously impact resistantly stackable in any direction. The invention is also directed to a blank suitably adapted by cut and fold lines to provide such box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank utilized in the manufacture of a box specially adapted to be impact resistant pursuant to the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are each plan views of the blank illustrating successive steps in forming the box in a flat collapsed condition.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective showing the box formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows and contained with a glass graduate shown within the box.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a fully assembled box shown by FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank similar to FIG. 1

3,532,263 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 with dotted lines showing a specific inventive feature of the box from which the blank is formed.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a plurality of boxes stacked atop one another within a storage container.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the plurality of boxes shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the figures in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a blank 10 foldable to define a box 12 pursuant to the present invention. Blank 10 is preferably formed from 0.03 inch thick bendable chip board or other suitable rigid sheet material. The blank is cut to define, when folded, a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, a first side Wall 18 and a second side wall 20. As shown, walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are preferably elongated, each being substantially rectangular in form; however, it is to be understood that these walls may be of any desired length. An extending elongated flap 28 is formed adjoining bottom wall 16, and in integral relation therewith.

Parallel, longitudinal fold lines 30, 32, 34 and 36, respectively, are provided on the blank between the longitudinal outside edge 38 of the first side wall 18 and the longitudinal outside edge 40 of the flap 28. Thus, it will be noted that fold line 30 and edge 38 define the first side wall 18; fold line 30 and fold line 32 define the top wall 14; fold line 32 and fold line 34 define the second side wall 20; fold line 34 and fold line 36 define the bottom wall 16; and finally fold line 36 and edge 48 define the flap 28.

Additionally, intermediate the terminals ends of each fold line and along each fold line is provided a pair of cut lines 42, 44; 46, 48; 50, 52, and 54, 56, respectively, thereby forming tab members 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72, respectively. Tabs 58, 60, 62, 64, 70 and 72 are oriented in the direction of edge 38 while tabs 66 and 68 are oriented in the direction of edge 40. Each cut line of a pair is in spaced relationship with the other along its respective fold line in a manner such that the resultingly formed respective tab members are in a non-registered relationship. This can be more readily understood by referring specifically to FIG. 8, wherein the terminal points 74, 76 of each tab member are connected by dotted straight lines to their respective counterparts. The positioning of the cut lines, the formation of the tab mem bers therefrom and their function will be more fully described subsequently hereinbelow.

Contiguous with, and in planar relation with, the first side wall 18, and at either end thereof, is provided a first end wall 21 and a second end wall 22. The first and second end walls 21, 22 are each defined by a transverse centrally disposed fold line 80, provided between it and the first side wall 18, and a pair of inwardly directed tapering cut lines 82, 84 each terminating at fold line 80. A protrudable tongue 86 is formed adjoining each of the first and second end walls. Tongue 86 has a straight outer edge 88 and inwardly curved side edges 90 merging integrally with said tongue.

Contiguous with, and in planar relation with, the second side wall 20, at either end thereof, is provided a third end wall 25 and a fourth end wall 26. The third and fourth end walls 25, 26 are each defined by a transverse centrally disposed fold line 92, provided between it and the second side wall 20, and a pair of inwardly directed curved cut lines 94 each terminating at fold line 92 so that the base of the curves flare outwardly, respectively, towards fold lines 32 and 34. It will be noted that the third and fourth end walls are not provided with a tongue as at 86 since these will become interior end wall portions as will become readily apparent hereinbelow. Alternatively, the third and fourth end walls 25, 26 are not present on the blank, however,

3 cut lines 94 are present and fold line 92 becomes a cut line instead of a fold line, so that a key-way will be definable for a reason that will appear below.

It will be noted also that the fourth end wall 26, when present, is provided with a centrally disposed generally circular cut line 100 with associated radiating cut lines 102, thereby forming a punch-out member 104. Additionally, the top and bottom walls 14 and 16 are each provided at registered longitudinal end portions thereof with a U-shaped cut line whose sides terminate in a fold line 168, defining a generally rectangular shaped hingedly movable tab 110, with the rectangular shape being in transverse relation to the longitudinal dimension of the top and bottom walls, respectively. The functions of the aforenoted features will also become readily apparent.

The blank, adapted as described, is folded according to the following procedure. Blank is passed through a conventional adhesive applying and folding apparatus 112, well known to the art and therefore only fragmentarily shown, and an adhesive applicator 114 applies a strip of adhesive 116 to the underside of flap 28. The bottom wall 16 is then folded over along fold line 34, to the condition shown by FIG. 2, carrying flap 28 along with it. During this folding step tab members 66 and 68 become projectingly defined with relation to bottom wall 16 along the cut lines 54 and 56, respectively, while remaining integral with the second side wall 20. The blank meanwhile remains fiat and is not lifted from the platen 120 of the folding machine 112.

Next, the first side wall 18 is folded over along the fold line 30 to the position shown in FIG. 3, so that the portion of the first side wall immediately adjoining longitudinal edge 38 becomes adhesively engaged along adhesive stripe 116 provided on the underside of flap 28. During this folding step, the tab members 58 and 60 become projectingly defined with relation to the first side wall 18 along the cut lines 42 and 44, respectively, while remaining integral with top wall 14. The box is thus formed in a flattened condition, a condition in which it can be readily stacked and shipped to the consumer. It is to be noted that in the latter condition the first, second, third and fourth end walls 21, 22, 25 and 26 remain in a fiat unfolded condition contiguous with their respective side walls. Alternatively instead of adhesively securing edge 38 to flap 28, an associated locking assembly can be provided on edge 38 and flap 28 which will serve the same purpose as the adhesive securement, aforementioned.

When ready for use the box 12 is erected by the user, best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7 by applying pressure in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 3 to form the four erect top, bottom and side walls. During this erection step the remaining tab members 62, 64, 70, 72 become projectingly defined along their respective cut lines 46, 48, 54 and 56, respectively; tab members 62, 64 being projectingly defined with relation to top wall 14 and tab members 70, 72 with relation to bottom wall 16, each pair of tab members remaining integral with the second side wall and flap 28, respectively. Then the third end wall is swung inwardly towards the interior 1219 of the box along fold line 92 to form an inner end wall of the box. Next, first end wall 21 is swung inwardly over inner end wall 25 along fold line 80 until protruding tongue 86 engages within the associatingly adapted key-way 128 provided by the curved cut lines 94 thereby forming a reinforced end wall 141.

The box is now secured in an open condition to receive the desired article. The article to be packaged therein, for example, a glass graduate 130 having a base portion 132 can then be inserted into the open box. The base portion 132 of the graduate, usually circular or hexagonal in shape, is of a dimension that when inserted into the interior 120 of the box, it will become locked in place by the displacement outwardly of opposing hingedly movable tabs which when so displaced provide opposing registered locking slots 134 in top and bottom walls 14 and 16 for two opposing portions of said base. The hinged force of the tab 110 against said base portions also aids in the holding thereof. A plurality of pairs of opposing tabs 110 (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4) may be provided also on all four walls in any combination desired. Thus, the box is adapted to hold and lock articles of various sizes in a stacked fashion.

With the graduate in place the punch-out member 104 is removed from fourth end wall 26 forming aperture and said fourth end wall is swung inwardly until aperture 140 is engaged over the lipped end 142 of the graduate, thereby further holding it in place, and further providing another opposing inner end wall. Finally, the second end wall 22 is swung inwardly over inner end wall 26 along fold line 80 until its protruding tongue 86 engages within the associatingly adapted key-way 128 provided by its respective curved cut lines 94. This resultingly forms another reinforced end wall 143 in opposing relation to the other reinforced end wall 141.

The box is adapted, by virtue of its construction, to rest firmly on the four tab members 66, 68, 70, 72 projecting from the bottom wall 16, said tab members providing four contact points of impact resistance, so that a fiow, for example, to the top wall 14 will be caught up or absorbed by the four contact points provided by tab members 66, 68, 70, and 72. Similarly, a plurality of boxes can be stacked one atop another horizontally, as shown inside a storage container in FIG. 9, with the four tab members 66, 68, 70, 72 resting on the top wall 14 of the box immediately below. Alternatively, the boxes can be stored vertically with the same impact resistant effect. Thus, the important feature of the non-registered relationship of the tab members to one another, earlier mentioned, now becomes apparent; and that is tabs 66, 68 will not fall inside the open space 152 defined by cut lines 46, 48 in forming tab members 62, 64, but will rather rest on at least a portion of the top wall portions 14 of the lower box immediately adjoining each said open space 152 forming two contact points there for the upper box with two more contact points being furnished by tab members 70, 72 resting on at least a portion of the projecting tab members 58, 60 located immediately below on the lower box. This is shown by the dotted lines designating tab members 66, 68, 70 and 72 in FIG. 10. The tab members can also be adapted to be locked in place so that when the boxes are stacked they will not slide off one another.

Moreover, as shown by FIG. 10, wherein a top plan view of a row of horizontally stacked boxes 12 is shown, tabs 58, 60 abutting against at least a portion of immediately adjoining tabs 62, 64, as well as on the second side wall 20, provide two contact points of impact resistance. Additionally, protruded tongues 86 abut against the first side wall 18 providing additional support for the box. Still further, it will be readily apparent that wherever the invention box abuts with any flat surface, whether of another box, or a wall of a storage or shipping container, that at least two tab members will always provide at least two contact points rendering the box impact resistable in any direction.

In accord with the objectives of the invention, then, it can be seen that the box of the invention when fully assembled and containing fragile contents therein provides impact resistant packaging heretofore unknown to the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. Packaging formed of a blank foldable to define a box comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of reinforced end walls, said top, bottom and opposing side walls being each provided with projecting means, each of said projecting means being in non-registered relationship with the other, so that said box when folded is adapted to be simultaneously impact resistantly stackable in any direction.

2. A box according to claim 1, wherein said opposing side walls further comprise a first side wall and a second side Wall, and wherein said projecting means further comprise at least a pair of projecting tab members cut from and in contiguous relation with said top, bottom and second side wall, said tabs being smoothly abuttable against an opposing surface.

3. A box according to claim 2, wherein said reinforced end walls further comprise a first and second end Wall forming one of said pair of reinforced end walls, and a third and fourth end wall forming the other of said pair of reinforced end walls.

4. An impact resistant box comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a pair of reinforced end Walls, said top, bottom and first and second side walls being each provided with projecting means, each of said projecting means being in nonregistered relationship with the other, said projecting means further comprising at least a pair of projecting tab members cut from and in contiguous relation with said top, bottom and second side wall, said tab members being smoothly abuttable against an opposing surface.

5. A blank, provided with cut and fold lines, foldable to define a box comprising a top wall forming member, a bottom wall forming member, a pair of opposing side walls forming members and a pair of reinforced end walls forming members, said top, bottom and opposing side walls forming members being each provided with projectable means, each of said projectable means being in non-registered relation with the other.

6. A box according to claim 1 wherein at least a pair of hingedly movable tabs are provided on at least a pair of opposing walls said tabs being in substantially registered relationship.

7. Packaging formed of a blank foldable to define a box comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said top, bottom and opposing side walls being each provided with projecting means, each of said projecting means being in non-registered relationship with the other, so that when folded is adapted to be simultaneously impact resistantly stackable in any direction.

8. A box according to claim 7 wherein said opposing side walls further comprise a first side wall and a second side wall, and wherein said projecting means further comprise at least a pair of projecting tab members out from and in contiguous relation with said top, bottom and second side wall, said tabs being smoothly abuttable against an opposing surface.

9. An impact resistant box comprising a top wall, bottom wall, first side wall, a second side wall and a pair of opposing end walls, said top, bottom and first and second side Walls being each provided with projecting means, each of said projecting means being in non-registered relationship with the other, said projecting means further comprising at least a pair of projecting tab members out from and in contiguous relation with said top, bottom and second side wall, said tab members being smoothly abuttable against an opposing surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 621,983 3/1899 Wade. 1,681,287 8/1928 French. 2,740,574 4/ 1956 Laver. 2,827,221 3/1958 Vines. 2,835,428 5/1958 Herzog. 3,221,973 12/1965 Kalbrener. 3,245,602 4/ 1966 Bovard. 3,279,677 10/1966 Wojcik.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 20646; 229-14 

